Alfred Adler, an Austrian psychologist once remarked: “To be a human being means to possess a feeling of inferiority which constantly presses towards its own conquest. The greater the feeling of inferiority that has been experienced, the more powerful is the urge for conquest and the more violent the emotional agitation.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 reminds us: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’”
Inferiority is a state of mind that predominantly refers to the disposition of being not as good as someone or something else, or the possible notion of being less valuable or important. It may encompass varying characteristics in life, including social skills, status, abilities, or perceived values. It is often considered a weakness that can constructively diminish one’s power and worth. However, its conquest effectively shoulders suppressing and regulating any fear or lack of self-worth that may be associated with a particular concept or situation, and tackling the perceived risks head-on with fortitude, spirit and strength. One may initially fear the prospect of walking into a lion's den to face one of the most daunting challenges of life, the lion himself, but if he emerges unharmed, what conquest in life could that be said to accomplish?
Emotional agitation is characterised by a state of restlessness, uneasiness, or irritability, often accompanied by a sense of being unable to sit still or stay calm. It may also be caused by feelings of inferiority. It can manifest as fidgeting, pacing, or other involuntary movements, and is often associated with mental distress or anxiety. Agitation can be a symptom of various mental health conditions, medical conditions, or even a response to stress or other stressors encountered in everyday life. It often evinces in medical terminology as perturbation.
In Christianity, courage and strength are often seen as powerful gifts from God, drawing on His presence, might, and promises. Biblical examples and teachings emphasise that true courage is not solely inherent, but is found through faith in God and reliance on His strength. The book of Daniel in the Bible tells the story of a man named Daniel, one of three high officials in the kingdom of king Darius, who defies a royal decree and encounters a miraculous rescue from a lion's den. Daniel, is a wise and righteous intermediary who can interpret dreams and convey the will of God to humans.
Jealous officials, unable to find fault with Daniel, convince king Darius to issue a law forbidding prayer to any god but himself for thirty days. However, Daniel continues to pray to God, and when his refusal to obey the decree is reported, he is thrown into the lions' den. God miraculously protects him, and the king then throws Daniel's accusers into the den, where they are devoured.
Daniel chapter 6 verses 16-26 reminds us: “Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions - they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.”
The pressures of life come in many forms and sometimes lead to feelings of inferiority and its need for conquest. Some circumstances may appear insurmountable and require maximal adaptability or innovation to overcome. But pressure is not always founded from an external source, it can be self-inflicted. Sustained long-term pressure can force unnecessary bodily damage with the culminating detrimental effects of stress and anxiety as an end result. This is often not considered a welcomed aspiration in the general rules of life. High achievement in positions of power need constant vigor and strength to attain. This may cause further complications within the natural onslaught of age. Grant Achatz, an American chef once remarked: “Whatever it is you're doing, whether it's your career or a particular focus, if you're trying to be the best you can possibly be, then you'll be putting that pressure on yourself.”
Extremes do occur, but becoming overwhelmed with everyday factors or situations can lead to unnecessary difficulties. It can promote fear, stress and behavioral consequences. A positive mindset in general may aid its relief by focusing on matters that diminish the overall severity of the situation, reducing its impact. This may improve mental well-being, alleviating a negative bias. Romans 14:1-5 reminds us: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ”
Fortitude and bravery in the face of everyday challenges or potential threats are the principal essence of life to avoid regression or defeat. Just like Daniel, if we believe and trust in God, He will often provide the necessary protection or freedom to survive the most arduous of circumstances. Deuteronomy 31:1-6 reminds us: “So Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel. And he said to them, “I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’
The Lord your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the Lord has spoken. And the Lord will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them. And the Lord will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Amen.
